Car-coupling



1. C. RANSIER.

Car Coup|ing.

Patented Apr. 5, 1859.

MFEIEHS, PHOTOALATHOGRAPMER, wASmNGTON, D c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

J. CLINTON RANSIER, OF LYONS, NEW YORK.

CAR-COUPLING.

Specification of Letters Patent No. 23,498, dated April 5, 1859'.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, J. CLINTON RANSIER, of the town of Lyons, in thecounty of Wayne and State of New York, have invented a new and usefulImprovement in Railroad- Car Couplings; and I do hereby declare that thefollowing is afull, clear, and eXact description ot the construction andoperation of the same, reference being had to the annexed drawings,making a part of this specitication, in which- Figure one (l) is aground plan, Fig. two (2) is a side elevation, Fig. three (3) is a frontView, and Fig. four (4) is a perspective view of fulcrum E.

Coast/fumaba md specification of the above om coupling-Fulcrum E (Fig.4) is provided with shoulders or bearings and is secured between bars Hand H and in rear of bumper plate I by its shoulders or bearings passingthrough said bars H and H, thus forming an axis of said bearings orshoulders which allows tulcrum E to revolve or turn upon its aXes andact in part as a swivel; fulcrum E is also provided with a hole runningor passing through either shoulder perpendicularly and parallel with itsbearings for the purpose of admitting bolt J (see Fig. 3) to pass intoand through the opening in said fulcrum E. Fulcrum E is further providedwith an opening corresponding nearly with the link hole through bumperplate I for the purpose of admitting a link or other contrivances topass into or through said tulcrum E.

Clevis or connecting link B is formed crowning and with a bulge or curveon either side for the purpose of allowing said clevis to revolve up anddown, over and upon the outside of the body of the bumper and plate Iconstructed in such a manner that said clevis B will not chate againstor contlict with bumper plates I when the bumpers are coupled together.Clevis B is connected to fulcrum E by bolt D by said bolt passingthrough the perforated ends of said clevis and through fulcrum Ehorizontally and near the top; by thus connecting clevis B and fulcrum Ethey form nearly a swivel, which allows clevis B to revolve up and down,to the right and left, &c., and conforms to the rocking and swayingmotion of cars when connected, and Jfurthermore by this mode (clevisrevolving over the outside of bumper plate and body of the bumper) varyin height to the extent of from one to eight inches, by setting theclevis or connecting link upon the highest car. Catch F is placedbetween bars H and H for the purpose of holding link G2 in rear ofbumper plate I when not in use. Link G is used for effecting an eXtra-:tastening in connection with my mode of coupling, also to be used toetl'ect a cou ling with other kinds of bumpers. Bolt is to be used inconnection with link G, (Fig. 2.) Hook C is placed upon the top bar Hfor the purpose of receiving and securing the curved end of oppositeclevis B in the process of coupling. (See Fig. 2.)

Arms A A are connected to sill L by eye headed bolts R which allows saidarms to revolve up and down as may be required; arms A A are used forsustaining clevis B when in its upright or set position; also forthrowing said clevis forward in the process of coupling; arms A A (whenin connection with dog O Fig. l) is used for the purpose of uncouplingor casting olf the opposite clevis B when connected, which isaccomplished by turning rod N by crank P against stop Q. (Fig. 1,) whichturns the lever point of dog O against one of the shoulders of A A, bywhich means raising the points of arms A A and the curved end of theopposite clevis B so that said clevis B will be disconnected from hookC. By then parting the bumpers asunder said clevis will drop 1n itsdownward position, or by turning crank I) suddenly against stop Q willset the opposite clevis in its upright position ready for recoupling.

Vote-Any kind of bumper springs now in use will be applicable to my modeof couplings therefore for merely giving my couplings a fullillustration I have for that purpose provided my model with spiralsprings, between bars H and H and in the rear end of the bumpers,secured in the center by a pm.

lfode of operation- Set one clevis B in its upright position againstarms A A and the opposite clevis B in its downward position. (See Fig.2.) By then running or pressing said bumpers together (tace to face) thebumpers will settle back in their sockets, while arms A A being in afixed position will throw clevis B from its upright position over hook Con the opposite bumper. To effect a coupling where the cars should carscan be coupled together should the cars l vary materially in height setthe clevis in its upright position on the highestcar; for uncoupling,see Construction.

Having thus fully described the construction and operation of myimproved car coupling and inventions of the same, I lay no claims tobars H and H, bumper plates I, link G (Fig. 1,) sill L, nor bolt J as myinvention, as the same is now in general use; but

YWhat I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patentis- 1. Clevis B in connection with fulcrum E by bolt D for the purposeof a connecting link between railroad cars so constructed and arrangedthat said clevis or link will encircle and revolve up and down and swayto the right and left over the outside of bumper plate (or plates) I andthe body of the bumper and otherwise arranged and constructed for thepurpose as substantially set forth and described in this specication.

2. I also claim revolving arms A A or their equivalents in combinationwith dog O (as seen in right hand plan Fi@ 1) for the purpose of aidingin casting othe opposite clevis from hook C in the process ofdisconnecting or uncoupling", also for a restJ for and in aiding inthrowing clevis I5 (on the same bumper) forward from its uprightposition in the process of eecting a coupling as substantially set forthand described in this specification.

3. I also claim hook C or its mechanical equivalent placed on top of theupper bar H and in rear of the top shoulder of ulcrum E for the purposeof receiving the curved point of the opposite clevis B in the process ofcoupling.

I do not intend to confine myself to rod or shaft N for the purpose ofturning dog O against the shoulder of arms A A Jfor the purpose ofraising the points of said arms in the process of casting o the oppositeclevis inthe process of uncoupling as herein de scribed as other wellknown modes of screw o lever power can be applied with equal e ect.

v J. CLINTON RANSIER.

Signed in presence of- R. W. ASHLEY, DENIsoN ViLDER.

